Read or Die is a very nicely-done manga and a related 3-part OVA chronicling the adventures of Yomiko Readman, superpowered secret agent for the British government. Now don’t take this to mean that she’s one of those super-cool British secret agents with a “I’m a badass” attitude and cool technology and weapons. Nope, she’s a bookworm. A socially inept recluse that works for the government to enable her reading habits. Her superpower consists entirely of an affinity with paper, hence her codename “The Paper.” She can do just about anything with paper, able to use it as a weapon, shield, vehicle, and multipurpose powertool as need be. Rather neato.

The OVA is definitely of a far more mature and sober nature than the rather silly comic, with far more drama and much less comic relief, but I highly recommend both.

I’ve been reading the Read or Die manga, courtesy of the kind folks at mangaproject.cjb.net and I had the pleasure of seeing a fansub of the animated version.

Rely upon the fansub no longer, and support this super-plus-excellent work by buying the commercial DVD.